Junk automobile crusher

ABSTRACT

An automobile crusher is disclosed which produces a package of predetermined height with parallel upper and lower faces and a limited length and width to facilitate stacking for shipping and handling. The crusher includes a base forming a bin having an open top for receiving the automobiles, and a lid pivotally connected to the upper edge of one wall of the bin. A hydraulic actuator having a cylinder pivotally connected to the lid and a rod pivotally connected to the base raises and lowers the lid with the weight of the cylinder and fluid therein assisting materially in crushing autos in the bin as the bin is lowered. A second cylinder can be latched to the free end of the lid to assist in pulling the lid down to crush the autos. The crusher has a fully automatic cycle remotely controlled by a radio located on the vehicle being used to load the crusher, thus requiring only one operator for the total operation. In one embodiment, the auto crusher is a self-propelled unit having a single integral chassis having a size and weight such as to legally travel on substantially all highways in the United States.

llited @tates Flanagan atet 1191 1451 May1,1973

. [22] Filed:

[ 1 JUNK AUTOMOBILE CRUSHER v [75 Inventor: Robert L. Flanagan, Dallas, Tex.

May 14, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 143,352

[52] US. Cl 100/48, l00/DlG. 1, 100/100,

100/233, 100/269 R [51] int. Cl. ..B30b 15/16 [58] Field of Search ..l00/DlG. l, 100,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Primary ExaminerBilly J. Wilhite Attorney-Richards, Harris & Hubbard [5 7 ABSTRACT An automobile crusher is disclosed which produces a package of predetermined height with parallel upper and lower faces and a limited length and width to facilitate stacking for shipping and handling. The crusher includes a base forming a bin having an open top for receiving the automobiles, and a lid pivotally connected to the upper edge of one wall of the bin. A hydraulic actuator having a cylinder pivotally connected to the lid and a rod pivotally connected to the base raises and lowers the lid with the weight of the cylinder and fluid therein assisting materially in crushing autos in the bin as the bin is lowered. A second cylinder can be latched to the free end of the lid to assist in pulling the lid down to crush the autos. The

2,816,502 12/1957 'Eismann ..l()O/233X Crusher has a fully automatic cycle remotely 2932244 4/1960 Moyer "loo/DIG 1 trolled by a radio located on the vehicle being used to 2,984,174 5/1961 Jones ..lO0/DlG. l l d t h t l t f 3,005,403 10/1961 Van Endert.. .....lO0/DlG. 1 6 requwrmg y 9 opera or or 3 170 389 2/1965 Parks ..l00/DIG. 1 the total Operatlonone embodlment, the auto 3356918 12/1967 Swim et aL 100/1310 1 crusher is a self-propelled unit having a single integral 3,386,374 6/1968 Tezuka ..l00/233 X chassis having a size and weight such as to legally 3. 22 0/ lanag 0/D G- 1 travel on substantially all highways in the United 3,517,608 6/1970 Tezuka ..100/D1G. 1 States, 3,554,119 1/1971 Schoellhorn et al ..l0O/DIG. 1

22 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures 42 A l l 7/ s 7/ I Patented May 1, 1973 3,730,078

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 lz 264 Q Q FIG.5

I99 RADIO RECElVER -v AND PULSE GEN.

INVENTOR ROBERT L. FLANAGAN ATTOHNI Y,

/TX/Ma d Patented May 1, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet Z R O T N E V W ROBERT L. FLANAGAN FIG. 6

ATTORNEYS Patented May 1, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

INVENTOR ROBERT L. FLANAGAN ATTORNEYS JUNK AUTOMOBILE CRUSIIER This invention relates generally to apparatus for compacting junk metal and the like, and more particularly relates to such apparatus particularly suited for crushing a plurality of junk automobile bodies into a dense package of predetermined size and shape.

The reclamation of junk metal products, such as automobiles, refrigerators, ranges and the like, have become a major ecological problem. Junk automobile bodies, in particular, have accumulated in a vast number of widely dispersed salvage yards where selected parts are sometimes removed and sold as spare parts. The remaining shell of the automobile has such a high volume and low density that it is uneconomical to transport them by truck or train to a central reclamation point.

As a result of this great need, many different types of compaction devices have been proposed for densifying automobile bodies to permit a sufficient number to be transported on a single truck at one time to economically justify a reclamation operation. One type of auto crushing device uses a a system of cables raises a heavily weighted lid which is pivoted at one end to an angle approaching the vertical. The lid is repeatedly dropped on the automobile until it is crushed to the desired extent. This type of crusher is dangerous to operating personnel and. causes damaging ground vibrations. But more importantly, such a device does not produce a package of predetermined size and shape which will always stack easily for handling and transport. In addition, such a system does not lend itself to automation and is relatively slow.

Other systems use hydraulic cylinders to drive crushing jaws of various types. In order to obtain sufficient force from these devices in a unit of sufficiently small size to be roadable, such devices usually have operated on a single auto, often attacking only a portion of the auto on each stroke or cycle. All such previous systems produce final packages which are not easily handled, stacked,-transported and finally processed. This invention is concerned with an improved device for crushing automobiles in a manner to provide a package of predetermined maximum size and shape. The package has precisely controlled parallel upper and lower surfaces to facilitate stacking on a flat bed semi-trailer or railroad car for transportation to a central processing point. The density of the package may be controlled so as to facilitate feeding the package directly into a ha mmermill or other comminuting devices. The package is typically about 7 feet wide, about 25 feet long and about 29 inches high. Such a package may include as many as four automobile bodies, depending upon whether the drivc trains have been previously removed and upon the desired density of the package, and typically weighs about 7,000 pounds.- Regardless of the density of the package, the package is of exactly the same size and shape each time, thus facilitating the handling and transporting of the package.

The crusher in accordance with this invention is fully automated and can be completely controlled by the operator of a fork-lift or other vehicle used to load and unload the device. This not only greatly reduces operating cost but also reduces safety hazards. In addition, operation of the device is not a hazard to other personnel who may be in the area. The crusher causes no earth vibrations which might damage buildings or other structures. The unit requires only a single stroke to crush an auto body, and is thus operated at a relatively high cyclic rate without the attention of the operator once a cycle is initiated.

In accordance with the present invention, a base member forms an open topped bin having a flat horizontal floor for receiving the automobile bodies. A lid is hinged at one end for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis. The cylinder of a hydraulic actuator is pivotally connected to the lid and the rod is pivotally connected to the base member so that the weight of the actuator is added to the weight of the lid and thereby assists in crushing the auto bodies. The hydraulic actuator pivotally moves the lid from a near vertical position to a final position parallel to the floor of the base member. A second pull-down cylinder is pivotally connected to the base member at the free end of the lid and is latched to the free end after the lid has been partially lowered to assist in pulling the lid down to the horizontal position.

The system is fully automated and proceeds through a complete cycle from the vertical position to the horizontal position and back to the vertical position in response to a single radio signal from the operator of a fork-lift or other vehicle used to load the auto bodies into the crusher. The control system provides for reversing the direction of travel of the lid at any time for safety reasons. The control system is completely fail safe.

In another embodiment of the invention, the crusher is formed as a self-propelled unit having a single chassis and a single prime mover which is used both for locomotion and for operating the crusher.

The foregoing features of the invention are claimed in various combinations and subcombinations in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as other objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an automobile crusher in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the crusher shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view taken from the lefthand end of the crusher as shown in FIG. 2',

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view taken from the right-hand end of the crusher as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on lines 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a simplified perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the lid in the raised position;

FIG. 7 is a simplified perspective view similar to FIG. 6 with the lid at the latching position;

FIG. 8 is a simplified perspective view similar to FIG. 6 with the lid in the lowered position;

FIG. 9 is a schematic circuit diagram of the electrical and hydraulic control system for the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a simplified longitudinal sectional view of the invention showing the lid approximately in the latching position;

FIG. 11 is a schematic partial view of FIG. 5 showing details of the operation of the latching mechanism;

FIG. 12 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the invention which utilizes a modified pullidown and latching mechanism;

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 11 with the lid in the lowered position and the latching mechanism latched;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the present invention; and,

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14.

Referring now to the drawings, an embodiment of the present invention which is particularly suited for crushing automobile bodies is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 in FIGS. '1-8. The device 10 includes a base member indicated generally by the reference numeral 12. A lid member, indicated generally by the reference numeral 14, is hinged to the base member 12 by horizontal pivot pin 16. A fluidpowered, double-acting, primary linear actuator, indicated generally by the reference numeral 18, is pivotally connected to the base member 12 by pin 20, and to the lid member 14 by pin 22. A fluid-operated, doubleacting pull-down linear actuator, indicated generally by the reference numeral 24, is pivotally connected to the base member 12 by pin 26 and is connectable to the lid member 14 by a latching mechanism, indicated generally by the reference numeral 28. The primary actuator 18 pivots the lid 14 from the raised position illustrated in FIG. 6 to the lowered position illustrated in FIG. 8 and then back to the raised position during each cycle. The pull-down actuator 24 is latched to the lid only as the lid is lowered from the latching position illustrated in FIG. 7 to the lowered position, and then only if the additional force is required to crush the autos.

The base member 12 is comprised of four longitudinally extending, boxed I-beams 30-33 which are interconnected at intervals by transversely extending beams 34, 36 and 38, for example, to provide a rigid structure. A deck plate 40 is welded to the top of the beams to provide a flat, horizontally disposed surface upon which material to be crushed is placed. A plate 42 may be welded across the front ends of the beams 30-33 and plates 44 and 46 welded across the rear and to close the base structure to vermin.

An open topped bin is formed as a part of the base member by a front wall 48 and panels 94-100 which are welded to the beams 30 and 33. The arrangement of the wall 48 and panels 94-100 is such as to provide a peripheral bin wall having a pair of vertical slots 102 and 104 on each side of the bin which are spaced and sized to receive the tines of a conventional fork-lift truck which may be used to load and unload the scrap material from the bin. The peripheral side walls of the bin have width and length dimensions such as to receive auto bodies and confine the auto bodies or other scrap material to predetermined width and length dimensions as it is being crushed, thereby assuring a final package having a predetermined width and length suitable for being hauled over highways and railways.

The pivot pin 16 is journaled in hinged plates welded on the top of the front wall 48 and is located at approximately the final height of the package of crushed material. Gusset plates 50 are provided to brace the front wall 48 against the forces transmitted through the pivot pin 16. The pivot pin 20 is mounted on a pylon 52 which is formed by a pair of triangularly shaped plates 54 and 56 which are laterally braced by gusset plates 58 and 59.

The lid means 14 is comprised of three longitudinal extending, boxed I-beams 60-62 which are interconnected by transversely extending beams 63-74. A plate 76 is welded to the lower faces of the beams to form the bottom of the lid 14. The pivot pin 22 is supported on a pylon formed by vertical beams 78 and 80 which are mounted on a pair of boxed I-beams 82 and 84, respectively, which extend between beams 65 and 66 and 71 and 72, respectively. The beams 78 and 80 are braced by gusset plates 86, 88, and 92.

The primary linear actuator 18 is comprised of a cylinder 106 which is mounted in a block 108 which in turn is mounted on pivot pin 22. The pivot pin 22 is preferably located at the center of gravity of the cylinder 106 in order to reduce bending loads on the rod 110 due to the weight of the cylinder. The cylinder, piston rod and hydraulic fluid typically weigh as much as 10,000 pounds. As a result of the manner in which the actuator is mounted, the weight of the actuator assists in crushing the auto bodies. Also, the actuator never moves into a position to injure personnel who may be close to the crusher during its operation. As previously mentioned, the rod 110 is pivotally connected to the pylon 52 by pivot pin 20. In the vertical position, the center of gravity of the lid passes behind the pivot axis of pin 16 to insure that the lid cannot fall by gravity in the event of a loss of hydraulic pressures.

The pull-down linear actuator 24 is comprised of a fluid cylinder 112 and a piston and rod assembly1l4. The lower end of the cylinder 112 is connected to pivot pin 26 which is journaled in a bracket 118 secured between beams 31 and 32. The center beam 61 of the lid member 14 extends through a vertical slot 120 in the wall panel 97.

A beam 103 is welded to panels 96, 97 and 98 and is disposed to support the beam 61 and lid during transport of the crusher. Gusset plates 101 brace the panel 97 and beam 103. The latching mechanism 28 is comprised of a pair of plates 122 and 124 welded on opposite sides of the beam 61. The rod 114 will pass between the plates 122 and has a transversely extending pin 126 which will engage the upper edges of the plates 122 and 124, as best seen in FIGS. 10 and 11. As shown in FIG. 10, the cylinder 112 is supported at an inclined angle by a resilient pad 130.

As will be noted in FIG. 1 1, the axis of rod 1 14 intersects the pivot are 132 of the tip of the plates 122 and 124 at the latching position. Also, the edges 122a of the plate 122 are disposed at an angle 134 to the axis of the rod 114 that is greater than 90. As the lid is lowered from the raised position to the latched position, the edges l22b of plates 122 will engage the pin 126 and pivot the actuator 24 slightly outwardly about pivot pins 26. After the points of plates 122 has passed below the pin 126, the actuator falls back against the resilient pad so that the center of the rod is over the edges 122a. Then as the lid continues to be lowered by the primary actuator, the secondary actuator lowers the pin 126 against the inclined surfaces 122a. The inclination of surfaces 122a tend to cause the pin 126 to slide down the surfaces 122a and compress the resilient pad 130, thus insuring a positive latch.

An alternative pull-down cylinder and latching mechanism is shown in-the embodiment of the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 200 in FIGS. 12 and 13. The crusher 200 includes a'base member 202, a lid member 204 and a primary doubleacting linear actuator 206, all of which may be substantially identical to the corresponding parts of the crusher 10. However, the pull-down actuator 208 comprises a fluid cylinder 210 which is mounted by pivot pin 212 on a pair of plates 214 welded to lid member 204, which are very similar to the plates 122 of the crusher 10. A latching actuator 216 is pivotally connected to the cylinder 210 and to the lid member 204 for pivoting the cylinder 210 about the pivot pin 212.

A latching pin 218 connected to the end of the rod 220 and a hook 222 connected to the base member 202 forms a latching mechanism which is engaged by the latching actuator 216. When the lid member 204 has been lowered to a latching position, the pin 218 may be pivoted under the hook 222 by the cylinder 216. Then the linear actuator 206 may assist in asserting a downward force on the lid means 204 to crush automobile bodies or other scrap material disposed between the lid member and the base member.

Another embodiment of the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 250 in FIGS. 14 and 15. The apparatus 250 includes all of the apparatus 10. A front chassis section 252 includes a pair of beams 254 which are welded to the front ends of the l-beams 31 and 32 of the base member 12. A rear chassis section includes a pair of beams 258 which are welded to the rear ends of the beams 31 and 32 of the base member 12. The front chassis section has a conventional suspension system with two single and two dual steerable wheels 256. The rear chassis section has a conventional suspension system with four dual drive wheels 260. A single prime mover 262 is mounted on the front chassis section and has a pair of power takeoffs, preferably arranged one above the other. The lower power take-off drives the rear wheels 260 through a drive train including a drive shaft 264 which extends between the beams 254, 31 and 32 and 258. The other power take-off is used to drive the pumps 152 and 154 which may be mounted as illustrated in FIG. 14.

The crushers 10, 200 and 250 are each operated by the control system indicated generally by the reference numeral 150 in FIG. 9. The system 150 includes a pair of hydraulic pumps 152 and 154 which may be driven by prime mover 156 mounted as illustrated in FIG. 1 for the crushers and 200 or by the prime mover (not illustrated) of the crusher 250. Pressure relief valve 158 is set to relieve at the maximum circuit pressure desired. The pressure relief valve 160 is set to relieve at a pressure where it is desired to route the fluid from pump 154 to tank to reduce the load on the prime mover 156. The check valve 161- prevents the flow of fluid from pump 152 to tank after the valve 160 has been opened. A four-way valve 162 is pulled up to a first position when solenoid 164 is energized and pulled down to a second position when solenoid 166 is energized. The valve 162 is spring centered to the position illustrated when both solenoids 164 and 166 are deenergizedl When the valve 162 ispulled up to the first position by solenoid 164, high pressure line 168 is connected to line 170 so that fluid under pressure is introduced to the blind end of cylinder 106, and also to the rod end of cylinder 112. The rod end of cylinder 106 and the blind end of cylinder 112 are connected through line 172 to the return line 174. It will be noted, however, that the fluid from the blind end of the cylinder 112 passes through pressure operated check valves 176 and 178, both of which must be opened to reverse flow before fluid can return to the valve 162 as will be presently described.

When the valve 162 is pulled down to the second position by solenoid 166, fluid under pressure is routed from line 168 to line 172 and thence to the rod end of cylinder 106 and to the blind end of cylinder 112. The check valves 176 and 178 pass fluid in this direction at all times.

The pressure operated check valve 176 is controlled by a three-way valve 180. The valve 180 is operated by a cam 182 which may be fixed to the pivot pin 16 or a hinge plate of the lid 14 so as to move with the lid 14. The valve 180 is in the position illustrated, and thus blocks fluid pressure from being applied to the check valve 176 whenever the lid member 14 is above a position where either of the pull-down actuators 24 or 208 can be latched. Whenever the lid means is in the latching position or lower, however, the cam 182 shifts the valve 180 so that fluid under pressure opens the check valve 176 to permit reverse flow of fluid from the blind end of cylinder 112 back to the valve 162. Thus, the pressured controlled check valve 176 inhibits the operation of the pull-down actuators 24 or 208 except when the lid is in position for the respective latching means to be engaged.

The other pressure controlled check valve 178 is controlled by pressure from line 170 and is set to respond only when the pressure in the blind end of cylinder 106 is at a sufficiently high level to indicate that the assistance of the pull-down cylinder 112 is needed to crush material. Thus, the valve 178 prevents the waste of low pressure fluid when it is not needed, as is often the case when the first auto body of the package is being crushed, thus speeding up the primary actuator and operation of the device of the system.

A two-position stepping switch 184 provides binary memory capability and has a first position or state for energizing the solenoid 164, and a second position or state for energizing the solenoid 166, thelatter position being illustrated in FIG. 9. Energization of the solenoid 166 is disabled when the normally closed limit switch 186 is opened by a cam 188. The cam 188 is also mounted on the pivot pin 16, or other part of the lid 14, and is designed to open the switch 186 when the lid has been raised to the vertical position.

Electrical power is supplied to the system through a fuse 190 and master switch 192. The condition of the master switch 192 is indicated by light 194. The stepping switch 184 is stepped by a pulse from any one of three sources, namely, from a radio receiver and pulse generator circuit 196, from the closing of a limit switch 198 which is mounted on beam 103 and is closed by beam 61 when the lid reaches the lowered horizontal position, or from the closing of a manual actuatable button 197. A transmitter 199 is normally mounted on a fork-lift vehicle used to load waste materials into the bin of the base member 12 within reach of the fork-lift operation. When the operator presses a button, the transmitter 199 transmits a pulse to the radio receiver 196, which in turn generates a pulse to step the switch 184. The button 197 may be located at any convenient position on the device 10 and is used to manually operate the crusher.

1n the operation of the apparatus 10, for example, assume that the lid member 14 is in the vertical or raised position illustrated in FIG. 6. Assume also that the stepping switch 184 is in the second position as illustrated in FIG. 9. Since the lid is raised, the limit switch 186 is opened by the cam 188 and both solenoids 164 and 166 are deenergized so that the valve 162 is shifted to the center or neutral position by the springs. The hydraulic fluid in the lines 170 and 172 and in the cylinders 106 and 112 will then hold the lid 14 and the rod 114 in the raised positions.

With the lid in the raised position, ajunk automobile body may be placed in the bin of the base member by a conventional fork-lift truck, or by any other apparatus suited to lower the body into the bin. After placing the automobile body in the bin, the operator of the fork-lift vehicle actuates the transmitter 199 which transmits a pulse to the receiver 196. The receiver 196 then generates a pulse which steps the switch 184 to the first position to energize the first solenoid 164. The valve 162 is pulled up so that fluid under pressure from the pumps 152 and 154 is directed through conduit 170 to the blind end of cylinder 106 and to the rod end of cylinder 112. As the primary actuator 18 is thus elongated, the lid 14 is immediately lowered. As soon as the lid has moved from the vertical position, limit switch 186 is closed to enable solenoid 166, but since the stepping switch 184 has been switched to energize solenoid 164, solenoid 166 remains deenergized.

Until such time as the lid 14 reaches the latching position illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 10, the valve 176 blocks the return of fluid from the blind end of cylinder 112 to conduit 172 so that the rod 114 remains in the raised position. When the lid member 14 reaches the latching position, however, cam 182 shifts valve 180 so that hydraulic pressure is applied to valve 176, thereby opening it to the reverse flow of fluid from the blindend of cylinder 112 to conduit 172 and thus back to tank. However, unless valve 178 is also opened to reverse flow by excessive pressure in line 170, the rod 114 will remain in the raised position. The pressure at which valve 178 is open can be set sufficiently high that the actuator 24 will often not be operative when crushing the first automobile body, because the weight of the lid and the primary actuator plus the force of the primary actuator is sufficient. In such a case, all fluid from the pumps 152 and 154 goes to actuator 18 to more rapidly move the lid member 14 to the horizontal positron.

When the lid member 14 reaches the horizontal position, limit switch 198 is closed, thus stepping relay 184 to the second position. Since limit switch 186 is now closed, solenoid. 166 is energized and valve 162 is pulled down to the second position, solenoid 164 having been deenergized when switch 184 is stepped to the second position. Pressure fluid is then directed from line 168 to line 172 to the rod end of cylinder 106 and to the blind end of cylinder 112. Because the weight of the lid means 14 and the primary actuator 18 is great compared to the weight of the rod 1 l4, and because of the relatively small volume of fluid required for the smaller cylinder 112, the rod 114 and pin 126 is raised to the latching position before the lid member 14 so that the point of the plates 122 will clear the pin 126.

The lid member 14 continues to the vertical position at which time cam 188 opens limit switch 186 to disable solenoid 166. The valve 162 is then centered by the springs to again hold the lid 14 and the rod 114 in the raised positions. Second, third, and fourth automobile bodies may then be successively placed on top of the first and the transmitter 199 activated each time to repeat the cycle and crush all of the bodies into a single dense package.

It will be noted that any time the master switch 192 is closed, the lid 1 14 will automatically move to the vertical position and stop. It will also be noted that a cycle can be aborted at any time by a pulse from the transmitter 199 or by closing the switch 197, in which case the lid member 14 will return to the vertical position and stop. A cycle may also started by switch 197. Movement of the lid 14 in either direction may be reversed by a pulse from either button 197 or the transmitter 199. Any time power is lost, the valve 162 cen ters and all movement ceases. The lid member 14 and rod 114 may be stopped in the lower positions for transport by opening the master switch 192 when both are at the lower positions. Alternatively, pressure around the pistons may be equalized through a manually operable valve 205 to permit each to lower by gravity.

When the control system is used in combination with the crusher 200, the latching cylinder 216 may be connected in parallel with the pull-down cylinder 210. This results in automatically shifting the pin 218 in latching position under hook 222 as soon as the valves 176 and 178 are both opened to reverse flow as heretofore described.

The apparatus 10 produces a package of waste material of predetermined size and shape regardless of the amount of material in the package. Thus, from one to four automobile bodies may be placed in the device 10 and in every case crushed to form a package of the same height. A typical package is about 25 feet long, seven feet wide, and twenty-nine. inches high, and weighs about 7,000 pounds. Such a package may include two complete automobiles with drive trains intact, or three-automobiles without the drive trains. Additionally, the upper and lower surfaces of the package will always be parallel to facilitate stacking for transport, and the length and width of the package will have predetermined maximum dimensions determined by the bin walls. Further, the extent to which the material is consolidated can be precisely predicted and controlled. Thus, by placing only two automobile bodies in a package, the density of the package may be suffi-' ciently low to permit the package to be fed directly to a shreader.

The configuration of the crusher 10 is such that the weight of the primary actuator 18 directly assists in crushing the waste material. Thus, materially reducing the hydraulic pressure required and also evenly distributing the required power over the cycle. All moving parts are located at a height well above the heads of workers who might be in the vicinity throughout the cycle, even in the skid mounted units 10 and 200. The downward movement of the lid is relatively slow and can be instantly reversed at any point in the cycle. Thus, the safety factor provided by remote operation is further enchanced by the design of the system. The crusher 250 is completely self-propelled and fully mobile. The crusher is large enough to crush a plurality of automobiles as heretofore described, yet meets the height, width, length and axle load limitations imposed by substantially every state in the United States. The unit may be used to tow a forklift vehicle suitable for loading automobile bodies into the bin. Thus, a single operator may drive the crusher 250 to ajob site, with a fork-lift truck in tow. Upon reaching the job site, the crusher is ready for immediate use. The same operator may then use the fork-lift to load and unload automobile bodies in the crusher. Since the crusher is completely automatic, and can be controlled remotely from the fork lift, the entire operation can therefore be carried out by the single operator. 7

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it is to be understood that various changes and substitutions can be made therein by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for crushing solid waste material such as automobile bodies or the like into a package of predetermined size and shape, the combination comprising:

base means having a generally horizontal surface for supporting the waste material to be crushed,

lid means disposed above the base means, the lid means being substantially coextensive with the surface of the base means,

means pivotally connecting one end of the lid means to one end of the base means such that the lid means pivots about a first generally horizontal axis between a raised position sufficiently vertical to permit the waste material to be placed on the horizontal surface of the base means, and a lowered position where material on the surface of the base will be crushed to a predetermined extent,

first double-acting linear actuator means pivotally connected to the lid and to the base means for moving the lid means between the raised and lowered positions, including exerting a downward force for crushing material supported on the horizontal surface of the base means, and

second double-acting linear actuator means interconnecting the other ends of the lid means and the base means after the lid means has moved to a latching position between the raised position and the lowered position for assisting in moving the lid means to the lowered position against the resisting force ot'the waste material being crushed.

2. The combination ofclaim 1 wherein:

the horizontal surface has length and width dimensions slightly larger than the length and width dimensions of automobile bodies,

the lid means is substantially parallel to the surface of the base means wherein the lowered position, and further characterized by:

wall means extending substantially around the periphery of the horizontal surface and upwardly to a point substantially above the lowered position of the lid means for horizontally confining the waste material as it is crushed vertically whereby one or more automobile bodies may be crushed into a package having parallel upper and lower stacking surfaces and predetermined maximum length and width dimensions.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein:

the first double-acting linear actuator means includes first fluid cylinder means and piston and rod means, i

the first cylinder means being disposed above the lid means when the lid means is in the lowered position and being pivotally connected to the lid means for pivotal movement about a second axis disposed parallel to the first axis such that the weight of the' cylinder means exerts a force assisting in crushing the waste material, and

the first piston and rod means being pivotally connected to the base means for pivotal movement about a third axis that is disposed parallel to the first axis.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the first cylinder means is pivotally connected to the lid means substantially at the midpoint of the cylinder means to reduce side loads acting between the cylinder means and the rod means.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein:

the first axis is disposed a distance above the horizontal surface of the base means approximately equal to the height of the lid means when in the lowered position,

the second axis is disposed a height above the lid means, and

the third axis is disposed at approximately the same height above the lid means as the second axis and is spaced on the other side of the first axis from the second axis by a distance at least as great as the height of the second axis above the lid means.

6. The combination of claim 1 further characterized control means for automatically and sequentially actuating the first double-acting linear actuator means to move the lid means from the raised position toward the lowered position in response to an operator initiated start signal,

actuating the second double-acting linear actuator after the lid means has moved to the latching position to apply an additional force to move the lid means to the lowered position,

reversing the first and second linear actuator means when the lid means reaches the lowered position, and

discontinuing the operation of the first and second fluid actuators when the lid means has returned to the raised position.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein the first and second double-acting linear actuator means are fluid operated, and the control means comprises a source of fluid under pressure,

four-way valve means having a closed position when disabled, and first and second positions when actuated,

fluid circuit means connecting the source of fluid under pressure through the valve means to the first and second linear actuators for operating the linear actuators to move the lid means toward the lowered position when the valve means is shifted to the first position and toward the raised position when the valve means is shifted to the second position, memory means having first and second states coupled to actuate the valve means to the first and second positions, respectively, means under the control of an operator for shifting the states of the binary memory means, means responsive to the lid means reaching the lowered position for shifting the state of the memory means, and means responsive to the lid means being in the raised position for disabling the second state of the memory means from actuating the valve means. 8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the means under the control of an operator includes a radio data link. 9. The combination of claim 7 further characterized y means for disabling the secondlinear actuator means from operating to move the lid means toward the lowered position except when the lid means is between the latching position and the lowered position. 10. The combination of claim 1 wherein the second double-acting linear actuator means comprises:

second-fluid cylinder means disposed generally vertically at the other end of the base means, second fluid piston and rod means extending upwardly from the cylinder means, means connecting said fluid cylinder means to the base means, and latching means for temporarily connecting the piston and rod means to the lid means after the lid means has been moved from the raised position to the latching position. 11. The combination of claim 10 further characterized by first latch means mounted on the lid means adapted to travel through an are as the lid pivots between its raised and lowered position, and wherein, the cylinder means is pivotally connected to the base means and the rod means extends upwardly from the cylinder means and has second latch means for operatively engaging the first latch means, the axis of the rod means being disposed to intersect the arc of the first latch means at the latching position with the second latch means positioned above the firstlatch means when the lid means is at the latching position. 12. The combination of claim 1 wherein the second double-acting linear actuator means comprises:

second fluid cylinder means disposed generally vertically at the other end of the lid means, second fluid piston and rod means extending downwardly from the cylinder means, means connecting the fluid cylinder means to the lid means. and latching means for temporarily connecting the piston and rod means to the lid means after the lid means has been lowered to the latching position.

13. The combination of claim 12 wherein the cylinder means is pivotally connected to the lid means, and

the latching means comprises a first latch member on the piston and rod means and a second latch member on the base means, and fluid operated means for engaging the first and second latch members after the lid means has moved from the raised position to the latching position.

14. The combination of claim 1 wherein the second double-acting linear actuator means comprises fluid cylinder means and fluid piston and rod means, and

latching means operative in response to movement of the piston and rod means within the cylinder means for interconnecting said other ends of the lid and base means.

15. The combination of claim 1 wherein the second double-acting linear actuator means comprises a second fluid cylinder means and second fluid piston and rod means, for assisting in moving the 'lid means from the latching position to the lowered position, I

one of said second fluid cylinder means and second fluid piston and rod means being pivotally connected to one of the base means and the lid means, and v latch means for connecting the other of the second fluid cylinder means and the second fluid piston and rod means to the other of the base means and the lid means after the lid means has been lowered to the latching position, the latch means including a third fluid operated linear actuator for operating the latch means.

16. In apparatus for crushing solid waste materialsuch as automobile bodies or the like into a flat package having substantially parallel upper and lower surfaces, the combination comprising:

base means having a generally horizontal surface for supporting the waste material to be crushed, lid means disposed above the base means, the lid means being substantially coextensive with the surface of the base means,

means pivotally connecting one end of the lid means to one end of the. base means such that the'lid means pivots about a first generally horizontal axis between a raised position sufficiently vertical to permit the waste material to be placed on the horizontal surface of the base means and a lowered position where material on the surface of the base will be crushed to a predetermined extent, and

double-acting fluid linear actuator means having a cylinder disposed above and pivotally connected to the lid means and a rod pivotally connected to the base means for moving the lid means between lowered and raised positions, including exerting a downward force for crushing material supported on the horizontal surface of the base means.

17. The combination of claim 16 wherein:

the horizontal surface has length and width dimensions slightly larger than the length and width dimensions of automobile bodies,

the lid means is substantially parallel to the surface of the base means when in the lowered position, and further characterized by:

wall means extending substantially around the periphery of the horizontal surface and upwardly to a point substantially above the lowered position of the lid means for horizontally confining the waste material as it is crushed vertically whereby one or more automobile bodies may be crushed into a package having parallel upper and lower stacking surfaces and predetermined maximum length and width dimensions. 18. The combination of claim 17 wherein: the cylinder means is substantially centered above the lid means when the lid means is in the lowered position and is pivotally connected to the lid means for pivotal movement about a second axis disposed parallel to the first axis such that the weightof the cylinder means exerts a force assisting in crushing the waste material, and

'the rod means being pivotally connected to the base means for pivotal movement about a third axis that is disposed parallel to the first axis.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the first cylinder means is pivotally connected to the lid means substantially at the midpoint of the cylinder means to reduce side loads acting between the cylinder means and the rod means.

20. The combination of claim 19 wherein:

the first axis is disposed a distance above the horizontal surface of the base means approximately equal to the height of the lid means when in the lowered position,

the second axis is disposed a height above the lid means, and

the third axis is disposed at approximately the same height above the lid means as the second axis and is spaced on the other side of the first axis from the second axis by a distance at least as great as the height of the second axis above the lid means.

21. The combination of claim 16 further characterized by control means comprising:

a source of fluid under pressure,

four-way valve means having a closed position when disabled and first and second positions when actuated,

fluid circuit means including the valve means connecting the source of fluid under pressure to the linear actuator for operating the linear actuator in a manner to move the lid means toward the lower position when the valve means is shifted to the first position and toward the raised position when the valve means is shifted to the second position,

memory means having first and second states coupled to shift the valve means to the first and second positions, respectively,

means under the control of an operator for shifting the state of the memory means,

7 means responsive to the lid means reaching the lowered position for shifting the state of the memory means, and means responsive to the lid means being in the raised position for disabling the second state of the memory means from actuating the valve means. 22. The combination of claim 21 wherein the means under the control of an operator includes a radio data link. 

1. An apparatus for crushing solid waste material such as automobile bodies or the like into a package of predetermined size and shape, the combination comprising: base means having a generally horizontal surface for supporting the waste material to be crushed, lid means disposed above the base means, the lid means being substantially coextensive with the surface of the base means, means pivotally connecting one end of the lid means to one end of the base means such that the lid means pivots about a first generally horizontal axis between a raised position sufficiently vertical to permit the waste material to be placed on the horizontal surface of the base means, and a lowered position where material on the surface of the base will be crushed to a predetermined extent, first double-acting linear actuator means pivotally connected to the lid and to the base means for moving the lid means between the raised and lowered positions, including exerting a downward force for crushing material supported on the horizontal surface of the base means, and second double-acting linear actuator means interconnecting the other ends of the lid means and the base means after the lid means has moved to a latching position between the raised position and the lowered position for assisting in moving the lid means to the lowered position against the resisting force of the waste material being crushed.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein: the horizontal surface has length and width dimensions slightly larger Than the length and width dimensions of automobile bodies, the lid means is substantially parallel to the surface of the base means wherein the lowered position, and further characterized by: wall means extending substantially around the periphery of the horizontal surface and upwardly to a point substantially above the lowered position of the lid means for horizontally confining the waste material as it is crushed vertically whereby one or more automobile bodies may be crushed into a package having parallel upper and lower stacking surfaces and predetermined maximum length and width dimensions.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein: the first double-acting linear actuator means includes first fluid cylinder means and piston and rod means, the first cylinder means being disposed above the lid means when the lid means is in the lowered position and being pivotally connected to the lid means for pivotal movement about a second axis disposed parallel to the first axis such that the weight of the cylinder means exerts a force assisting in crushing the waste material, and the first piston and rod means being pivotally connected to the base means for pivotal movement about a third axis that is disposed parallel to the first axis.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein the first cylinder means is pivotally connected to the lid means substantially at the midpoint of the cylinder means to reduce side loads acting between the cylinder means and the rod means.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein: the first axis is disposed a distance above the horizontal surface of the base means approximately equal to the height of the lid means when in the lowered position, the second axis is disposed a height above the lid means, and the third axis is disposed at approximately the same height above the lid means as the second axis and is spaced on the other side of the first axis from the second axis by a distance at least as great as the height of the second axis above the lid means.
 6. The combination of claim 1 further characterized by: control means for automatically and sequentially actuating the first double-acting linear actuator means to move the lid means from the raised position toward the lowered position in response to an operator initiated start signal, actuating the second double-acting linear actuator after the lid means has moved to the latching position to apply an additional force to move the lid means to the lowered position, reversing the first and second linear actuator means when the lid means reaches the lowered position, and discontinuing the operation of the first and second fluid actuators when the lid means has returned to the raised position.
 7. The combination of claim 6 wherein the first and second double-acting linear actuator means are fluid operated, and the control means comprises a source of fluid under pressure, four-way valve means having a closed position when disabled, and first and second positions when actuated, fluid circuit means connecting the source of fluid under pressure through the valve means to the first and second linear actuators for operating the linear actuators to move the lid means toward the lowered position when the valve means is shifted to the first position and toward the raised position when the valve means is shifted to the second position, memory means having first and second states coupled to actuate the valve means to the first and second positions, respectively, means under the control of an operator for shifting the states of the binary memory means, means responsive to the lid means reaching the lowered position for shifting the state of the memory means, and means responsive to the lid means being in the raised position for disabling the second state of the memory means from actuating the valve means.
 8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the means under the control of an operator includes a radio data link.
 9. The combination of claim 7 further characterized by means for disabling the second linear actuator means from operating to move the lid means toward the lowered position except when the lid means is between the latching position and the lowered position.
 10. The combination of claim 1 wherein the second double-acting linear actuator means comprises: second-fluid cylinder means disposed generally vertically at the other end of the base means, second fluid piston and rod means extending upwardly from the cylinder means, means connecting said fluid cylinder means to the base means, and latching means for temporarily connecting the piston and rod means to the lid means after the lid means has been moved from the raised position to the latching position.
 11. The combination of claim 10 further characterized by first latch means mounted on the lid means adapted to travel through an arc as the lid pivots between its raised and lowered position, and wherein, the cylinder means is pivotally connected to the base means and the rod means extends upwardly from the cylinder means and has second latch means for operatively engaging the first latch means, the axis of the rod means being disposed to intersect the arc of the first latch means at the latching position with the second latch means positioned above the first latch means when the lid means is at the latching position.
 12. The combination of claim 1 wherein the second double-acting linear actuator means comprises: second fluid cylinder means disposed generally vertically at the other end of the lid means, second fluid piston and rod means extending downwardly from the cylinder means, means connecting the fluid cylinder means to the lid means, and latching means for temporarily connecting the piston and rod means to the lid means after the lid means has been lowered to the latching position.
 13. The combination of claim 12 wherein the cylinder means is pivotally connected to the lid means, and the latching means comprises a first latch member on the piston and rod means and a second latch member on the base means, and fluid operated means for engaging the first and second latch members after the lid means has moved from the raised position to the latching position.
 14. The combination of claim 1 wherein the second double-acting linear actuator means comprises fluid cylinder means and fluid piston and rod means, and latching means operative in response to movement of the piston and rod means within the cylinder means for interconnecting said other ends of the lid and base means.
 15. The combination of claim 1 wherein the second double-acting linear actuator means comprises a second fluid cylinder means and second fluid piston and rod means, for assisting in moving the lid means from the latching position to the lowered position, one of said second fluid cylinder means and second fluid piston and rod means being pivotally connected to one of the base means and the lid means, and latch means for connecting the other of the second fluid cylinder means and the second fluid piston and rod means to the other of the base means and the lid means after the lid means has been lowered to the latching position, the latch means including a third fluid operated linear actuator for operating the latch means.
 16. In apparatus for crushing solid waste material such as automobile bodies or the like into a flat package having substantially parallel upper and lower surfaces, the combination comprising: base means having a generally horizontal surface for supporting the waste material to be crushed, lid means disposed above the base means, the lid means being substantially coextensive with the surface of the base means, means pivotally connecting one end of the lid means to one end of the base means such that the lid means pivots about a first generally horizontal axis between a raised position sufficiEntly vertical to permit the waste material to be placed on the horizontal surface of the base means and a lowered position where material on the surface of the base will be crushed to a predetermined extent, and double-acting fluid linear actuator means having a cylinder disposed above and pivotally connected to the lid means and a rod pivotally connected to the base means for moving the lid means between lowered and raised positions, including exerting a downward force for crushing material supported on the horizontal surface of the base means.
 17. The combination of claim 16 wherein: the horizontal surface has length and width dimensions slightly larger than the length and width dimensions of automobile bodies, the lid means is substantially parallel to the surface of the base means when in the lowered position, and further characterized by: wall means extending substantially around the periphery of the horizontal surface and upwardly to a point substantially above the lowered position of the lid means for horizontally confining the waste material as it is crushed vertically whereby one or more automobile bodies may be crushed into a package having parallel upper and lower stacking surfaces and predetermined maximum length and width dimensions.
 18. The combination of claim 17 wherein: the cylinder means is substantially centered above the lid means when the lid means is in the lowered position and is pivotally connected to the lid means for pivotal movement about a second axis disposed parallel to the first axis such that the weight of the cylinder means exerts a force assisting in crushing the waste material, and the rod means being pivotally connected to the base means for pivotal movement about a third axis that is disposed parallel to the first axis.
 19. The system of claim 18 wherein the first cylinder means is pivotally connected to the lid means substantially at the midpoint of the cylinder means to reduce side loads acting between the cylinder means and the rod means.
 20. The combination of claim 19 wherein: the first axis is disposed a distance above the horizontal surface of the base means approximately equal to the height of the lid means when in the lowered position, the second axis is disposed a height above the lid means, and the third axis is disposed at approximately the same height above the lid means as the second axis and is spaced on the other side of the first axis from the second axis by a distance at least as great as the height of the second axis above the lid means.
 21. The combination of claim 16 further characterized by control means comprising: a source of fluid under pressure, four-way valve means having a closed position when disabled and first and second positions when actuated, fluid circuit means including the valve means connecting the source of fluid under pressure to the linear actuator for operating the linear actuator in a manner to move the lid means toward the lower position when the valve means is shifted to the first position and toward the raised position when the valve means is shifted to the second position, memory means having first and second states coupled to shift the valve means to the first and second positions, respectively, means under the control of an operator for shifting the state of the memory means, means responsive to the lid means reaching the lowered position for shifting the state of the memory means, and means responsive to the lid means being in the raised position for disabling the second state of the memory means from actuating the valve means.
 22. The combination of claim 21 wherein the means under the control of an operator includes a radio data link. 